They are real. Each vial contains a tiny drop of the polystyrene speheres solution, mixed in with water.

The original vials, containing pure solution, are available from some company (I forget the name, the do have a website). Someone purchased a vial and then created these souvenirs for distribution. So they are real, but the actual amount in the vial of flown material is small. Worth $5 I'd say.

------------------______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -Ben

http://www.geocities.com/ovcolumbia/totaleclipse.html

"'Time was invented to keep everything from happening at the same time. Space was invented so that everything doesn't happen to you.' -Anonymous"

I really don't understand why people buy these things. There is nothing to be seen! Even if this is real, it still is just a glass tube filled with water to me. Unless you are a great microscope fan, of course.

Robert Pearlman

Items like the STS-6 microscopic beads, Apollo 15 lead marks, and even the STS-8 covers offer an inexpensive means for collectors -- especially those just beginning the hobby -- to own something flown and well documented.

My STS-6 'bead' plaque was one of my first acquisitions and it still has a proud place in my collection. Afterall, it was the first product to be produced in space and therefore represents an important part of why we explore space (an activity we don't often get to "see").

I have a brand new STS 6 "bead" plaque that I just found in storage. I am the person who produced the plaque back in 1989. I was planning on putting it on eBay, but if anyone here is interested in purchasing it, let me know.Dennis